Coastal Dogs Looking for Love

🐾 Adoption information Coastal Sheltie Rescue * see guidelines page too.

Coastal is active in:

• Virginia
   
• North & South Carolina
   
• Maryland
   
• District of Columbia
   
• Delaware
   
• Parts of South-Central Pennsylvania
   
• New Jersey
   
• Eastern West Virginia
   

🔸 We may adopt out-of-area for special needs dogs.
🔸 We do not transport dogs for adoption—all adopters must come to the dog’s location. Please email and ask if you live outside listed area before applying.

Adoption & Membership Fees

A $40 non-refundable application donation is required when submitting your adoption application. If you are approved and move forward with adoption, this amount will be applied toward your adoption fee.

We also require a $40 first-year membership fee as part of the adoption process. This helps cover paperwork, website upkeep, and other incidental costs that allow us to continue running the rescue smoothly.

Adoption Fees by Age

Puppies under 18 months: $685

18 months to 5 years: $485

6 to 7 years: $450

8 to 10 years: $350

11+ years: $195

Puppies under 7 months old also require an additional $100 refundable spay/neuter deposit. This is on top of the adoption fee and will be refunded once proof of spay/neuter is received.

Mixed-breed puppies may have a lower adoption fee. When this applies, it will be clearly marked in their bio on Adopt-a-Pet and our website. Shelties, Collies, and other small/petite or highly sought-after dogs will not have reduced adoption fees.

What’s Included in the Adoption Fee

Spay/neuter surgery (or coverage via deposit for young puppies)

Rabies vaccination (age-appropriate)

Distemper/parvo vaccination (age-appropriate)

Microchip

Heartworm testing and prevention

Flea/tick prevention

Many of our older dogs come with a Martingale collar. For all Shelties and Collies, if a collar does not come with the adoption, the adopter must purchase one prior to picking up the dog. We prefer a Max and Neo product, but it must be a Martingale collar without a chain.

• A home visit or virtual home visit is required.
  (Instructions for virtual visits are sent after we receive your application.)
   
• All household members must be present for the home visit (including virtual).
   
• We contact personal and/or veterinarian references as part of the approval process.
   

All animals currently in your home must:

• Be current on vaccinations
   
• Have up-to-date heartworm testing
   
• Be on year-round heartworm prevention with no lapses
   
• Be spayed or neutered
   

We do not require flea prevention but ask that you show how you manage fleas.
We welcome natural flea treatment alternatives.

• Children must be:
   
  • At least 3 years old to adopt a puppy over 20 lbs full-grown
     
  • At least 5 years old to adopt a dog under 20 lbs
     
• Single-family homes with backyard chickens must have:
   
  • At least 1.5 acres of property
     
  • Chickens fenced away from the dog’s play area
     

• The adopter must be the homeowner.
   
• We cannot approve adoptions if a non-owner (e.g., adult child) plans to take the dog when they move out.
   
• We consider the entire household’s future plans to ensure a stable, long-term home.
   

• A telephone interview may be conducted before scheduling a meet.
   
• We match dogs to adopters based on:
   
  • Temperament
     
  • Activity level
     
  • Training needs
     
  • Lifestyle compatibility
     

💡 Adoptions are not “first come, first served.”
We place dogs in homes that best meet their needs.
 

• All dogs are:
   
  • Spayed or neutered prior to adoption
     
  • Up to date on vaccinations
     
  • Tested and treated for heartworm as needed
     
• Puppies under 7 months:
   
  • Receive age-appropriate vetting
     
  • Are adopted out with a spay/neuter contract
     
  • Final vetting and altering are owner’s responsibility
     

• All dogs are microchipped prior to adoption.
   
• If we are unable to microchip prior, adoption is not finalized until microchipping is completed.
   
• Microchips are permanently registered to Coastal—please notify us of any changes in contact info.
   

Our relationship doesn’t end at adoption—we’re here for you and your Coastal dog.

• You’ll receive at least one post-adoption follow-up (in-home or virtual).
   
• You’re always welcome to reach out to us with questions, concerns, or happy updates.